Then came the preseason, and that collection of big names was put on the field, and the fantasy team didn’t seem so hot. Bad as the first- team Broncos looked at times during the preseason, including their 17-16 loss to Cleveland on a warm night at Invesco Field at Mile High, consolation comes in knowing any evaluation of their performance will not be worth the bother once the regular season begins in two weeks.

If the Broncos are to continue on with their belief their season will end with Super Bowl XLII, they want to repeat three times: It’s only the preseason. It’s only the preseason. It’s only the preseason.

Faith must be taken wherever it becomes available.

Besides, the final preseason dry run wasn’t all bad. Down 10-3 with less than two minutes remaining in the first half, Cutler needed just seven plays to lead the Broncos 80 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

There were other plays against the Browns when Cutler looked like a second-year quarterback with only five games of NFL experience. He telegraphed a pass or two. He started the game by fumbling the snap from center Tom Nalen – a supposedly rudimentary exercise that has been anything but since Cutler became the Broncos’ starting quarterback last year.

But when it was time to get it done fast or not get it done at all, Cutler completed 4-of-4 passes for 44 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown flip to fullback Kyle Johnson. Cutler finished his first preseason as the Broncos’ starting quarterback by completing 17-of-31 passes (54.8 percent) overall for 197 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

“We’re not that far off,” Cutler said. “I don’t think we need to get all worried and flustered and panicked around here. We’ve got to clean things up this week and get ready for the real thing. We’re getting there.”

The Broncos also underscored their reputation of being able to run the ball no matter who is carrying it. From Olandis Gary to Selvin Young, little- known running backs are known to have quality games when operating behind the Broncos’ offensive line.

Against the Browns, the Broncos’ two most proven tailbacks, Travis Henry and Mike Bell, were out nursing leg injuries.

Yet Cecil Sapp, who has played mostly fullback when he has played at all in his four previous NFL seasons, gained 54 yards on 11 carries. Young, an undrafted rookie from Texas, had 91 yards on 17 carries.

That’s 145 combined yards, at 5.2 yards per rush, for the Sapp- Young duo. Afterward, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he thought Young appeared a step faster than everyone else on the field.

“From the outside looking in, it’s the coach,” Young said, referring to Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner. “Coach Turner has been here through every one of those running backs. He’s just got a gift for the way he coaches.

“I came in off the street. And like (Shanahan) said, I was a step quicker and so well prepared. That may be the edge, Coach Turner and Mr. Shana- han working together in the backfield.”

Young also scored what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown with 2:56 remaining but because Shanahan wasn’t about to play overtime in a preseason game, he went for the two-point conversion. It failed, but perhaps an injury was avoided by not playing an extra quarter.

Another encouraging element from the first-team’s final test: The defense finally showed glimpses of understanding the new system of new coach Jim Bates.

Broncos by the numbers

2 drops by Javon Walker in the Broncos’ first drive, which ended in a field goal. Walker did get the drive going with a 37-yard reception.

41 points allowed by the Broncos’ first-string defense through their first four preseason quarters.

4.7 yards per carry by the Broncos in the first half, even though their two most established rushers, Travis Henry and Mike Bell, were out with injuries.

8 completions on 9 pass attempts for Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in the second quarter.

9 Cleveland Browns who had breakfast Saturday morning with their agent, Denver-based Peter Schaffer. The group includes first-round rookie left tackle Joe Thomas and receiver Braylon Edwards.

Five goals

The following is a look at the five Broncos goals heading into Saturday night’s home game against Cleveland and whether they were met successfully.

1. Overall success: There were good moments and bad moments for both the offense and defense. The bottom line is this team will need the next 14 days to get ready for the season opener.

2. Good defense: The first-team defense, which played into the third quarter, was better, for the most part, than it was in the first two preseason games. But it needs to get much better.

3. The quarterback: With five regular-season starts under his belt, Jay Cutler has likely seen the end of his preseason playing time. His next action probably will come in the Sept. 9 opener against Buffalo. Cutler completed 9-of-16 passes for 115 yards Saturday night. For the preseason, he completed 17-of-31 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown. He did not throw an interception.

4. Stay healthy: There were no major injuries and that, above everything, is the goal of preseason.

5. D.J. in the middle: New middle linebacker D.J. Williams appeared to be out of alignment on the first play, but he seemed to be near the ball a lot more Saturday night than he was in the first two games.

Mike Klis was with The Denver Post from Jan. 1, 1998 before leaving in 2015 to join KUSA 9News. He covered the Rockies and Major League Baseball until the 2005 All-Star break, when he was asked to start covering the Broncos.

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